Most of us have heard at some point. "Just put free choice minerals out and the horses will take what they need." It's an appealing idea. We like to think our horses have an inbuilt nutritional wisdom that tells them exactly what their bodies require. If they're short of something, they'll eat it. If they don't need it, they'll leave it alone.

Owners often underestimate how much hay is required when pasture moisture declines, especially when there is still “green” visible. The horse’s digestive system doesn’t measure colour; it measures fibre quality, water content, and digestible energy. Dry grass simply doesn’t deliver what it does in a spring with adequate rainfall.

Salt is one of the simplest ways to protect gut health in cold weather. Electrolytes keep a horse’s cells, nerves, muscles, and hydration systems working. When a horse doesn’t get enough sodium It robs potassium from the tissues to compensate. The solution isn’t fancy electrolyte mixes, it’s salt.

Here’s a look at the horse health topics you have wanted to know about most.